Don Ridley

I recently had the front windows tinted at a shop. I researched window tint materials and not all products are equal. The cheaper products will turn blue-ish over time. The more expensive (by 3M and others) ones will not. I chose the most expensive tint, 3M Crystalline series: http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/1161043O/3m-automotive-window-film-crystalline-series-brochure.pdf This tint is designed to reduce the IR radiation (heat) without having to be dark. The front windows have CR70 and are barely darker than stock, but the tint supposedly reduces the total solar energy by 50%. The tint is expensive...around $100+(not including labor) just for the front windows. Hopefully this keeps the CHP off my back.

I ordered a 2016 TC, short wheel base 1.6L wagon in late April. It arrived in California in early August. I am very happy with the 1.6L turbo engine. I had driven the 2.5L version and it was OK, but the turbo generates more torque at lower rpm and is more fun to drive. I ordered most of the options except for leather seats, SYNC and parking assist. My only regret is I bought the Quicklear windshield . This windshield has very fine heater wires that are almost invisible, but they diffract light at night and bug me. It is overkill for California weather and I may replace the windshield with a normal one. I have lots of projects and upgrades planned and will post them as they occur. So far the van is exactly what I wanted.